When you invest in Volunteerism
Your donations have a greater impact on your Community
Why invest in Volunteerism?
• Investing in Volunteerism is an investment in
local Charities and the Community overall
• Most Charities are underfunded and under
resourced and need volunteers to fulfill their
mandate
• The SOS Volunteer Centre finds valuable
voluntary labor to support the delivery of
community based Charity programs
This is what your Volunteer Centre does:
Encourage the public to Volunteer to help
deliver important community programs
Provide resources to Volunteers: Searchable
volunteer opportunity database; self-assessment
tools, volunteer guide books and passports to
volunteering
Work with local Charities to help them find
volunteers
Provide practical tools for Charities to help
them retain volunteers
Some of the Charities your local Volunteer
Centre helps find volunteers for
Lifeline
Bereavement Resource Society
Haven Hill Care Facility
BC Schizophrenia Society
Access Centre
Okanagan Parks Society
SOICS
Canadian Cancer Society
Critteraid
CMHA
Better at Home and Friendly Visitor
Programs
SOWINS
Crime Stoppers
CNIB
Heart and Stroke Foundation
SOS Literacy Now
Okanagan College
SOS Café/ Medical Foundation
Brain Injury Society
Alzheimer BC
SS Sicamous
Kettle Valley Steam Railway
SO Victim Assistance Society
SORCO
Peach City Beach Cruise
MS Society
United Way
Penticton United Church
Red Cross
Oliver Parks Recreation Society
Meet examples of the Volunteers that have come
to the Volunteer Centre for assistance…
ANDY
Having experienced a severe brain trauma in an accident years
earlier, Andy (age 35) approached the Volunteer Centre to begin
his introduction back into the work force. A nervous but
confident individual, he had taught himself to read and write
following the accident and had gained his memory back.
Receiving only a disability income and remaining at home was not
satisfying. He saw his next step was to begin connecting back into
the community and regain his skill-set and workplace know-how.
The Volunteer Centre staff and volunteers worked with Andy to
uncover his volunteer interests and to review the list of volunteer
opportunities with him.
Meet examples of the Volunteers that have
come to the Volunteer Centre for assistance…
NADINE
Young and enthusiastic, Nadine (age 23) offered her Volunteer services
for administration work in a Non-Profit society through the Volunteer
Centre. She had some basic office training, but was also managing a
disability that she felt was a barrier to employment. The Volunteer
Centre staff and volunteers helped Nadine by going over the Volunteer
Guide, Self-Assessment tool and Health Benefits of Volunteering. Using
the Volunteer Listings for the Community Nadine found Volunteer work
which helped her to gain confidence and applied skills. Then she
successfully found full time paid work, but is continuing to help out as a
Volunteer. “I find volunteering such a rewarding experience, I feel my
skills are valued, and I want to continue to give back.”
Meet examples of the Volunteers that have
come to the Volunteer Centre for assistance…
DONALD
Donald, a highly skilled and experienced Senior Executive with
a local Government contacted the Volunteer Centre. Donald
(age 58) and a number of his colleagues were recently laid off.
Donald was looking for opportunities to apply his leadership
skills. Staff and volunteers provided Donald with Guide to
Volunteering, including a Self-Assessment to determine his
volunteer interests and a list of Volunteer opportunities.
Donald is currently volunteering with three community
organizations. In addition Donald is leading a project for the
Volunteer Centre, bringing his experience and networks to
further solutions for a complicated social issue.
By investing in Volunteerism you are
contributing to a healthier community
Research shows that:
• Volunteering not only helps those being
helped, it helps the volunteer, AND the
community
• Volunteers live happier, healthier, and
longer lives…it’s a fact!
• Strong healthy communities
demonstrate an openness to everyone
who can and want to contribute
By investing in Volunteerism you are
strengthening democracy…
• Investing in the Volunteerism is also an
investment in democracy
• Strong volunteer sectors are a hallmark of
successful democratic societies
• The SOS Volunteer Centre promotes
awareness and importance of volunteerism to
the public and keeps volunteerism alive and
strong
Its easy to Invest in Volunteerism, here’s how…
 Make a cash donation
 most needed to support continued delivery of Volunteer Centre programs to volunteers and
charities
 Make a Cash and/or Prize donations
 contribute to annual Volunteer Centre fundraising campaigns and events, Examples:
 Online Auction (our first annual fundraising auction was held in June 2015)
 Themed Events with Live Music (held two or three times a year)
 Raffles (large items are best for raffles such as vacation packages or vehicles)
 Draws (often provided as incentives for volunteers to register with us)
 Sign up as a registered volunteer
Invest in Volunteerism by:
Making your cheque payable to the South Okanagan Similkameen
Volunteer Centre Society
Drop off or mail to: 102-696 Main Street, Penticton, BC, V2A 5C8
Please make sure you include your name and return address where the Tax Receipt for your charitable donation can be sent.
For more information, or to meet in person,
please contact :
Community Engagement Coordinator Ryan Oickle: [email protected]
Executive Director, Wendy Weisner: [email protected]
Telephone: 1-888-576-5661
Web: www.volunteercentre.info
The South Okanagan Similkameen Volunteer Centre Society
Registered BC Society # S-56413
Registered Federal Charity # 819826652RR0001
 Provides easy access to opportunities that allows people to connect to their community through
volunteering.
 Works with other community groups to improve their ability to recruit, manage, retain and
appreciate volunteers.
 Helps the public find volunteer opportunities that fit their interests and needs. Youth, for example,
often seek to develop skills and employability, and improve their job prospects.
 Encourages the public to volunteer, and raises awareness about volunteering.
 Collaborates with governments, community leaders and organizations to speak on behalf of
volunteers and volunteering.